Whitaker update – 11/10/18

Now Trump lies and says he doesn’t know him. They sure didn’t do enough to vet his history and past comments.

“Intellectually honest conservatives… need to say this, loudly. His appointment represents an unprecedented assault on the integrity and reputation of the Justice Department, the advice and consent function of the Senate, and the rule of law in the United States.” https://t.co/cFv7q27IR3

Trump’s newly appointed Acting AG, Matthew Whitaker, while president of a nonprofit in 2016, exclusively hired contractors dominated by Republican operatives — one of whom became a top Treasury Dept official under Trump, I found: https://t.co/SteaHXdWw6pic.twitter.com/8IoaxxD1Vw

I agree with @neal_katyal that lots of folks have standing to get a judicial ruling that Whitaker’s installation as acting AG is unconstitutional. But I think the reasoning needs to include a few added steps to pass muster with a very conservative court. Not to worry: It’ll work. https://t.co/yDpwWe3JG0

"People close to the president said Mr. Whitaker first came to the attention of Mr. Trump because he liked watching Mr. Whitaker express skepticism about aspects of Mr. Mueller’s investigation on television."https://t.co/CnWjgxqUsXhttps://t.co/4GOSMlyj8i

Sen. Susan Collins: "I am concerned about comments that Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker has made… I believe that we should bring to the Senate floor legislation that would put restrictions on the ability of President Donald Trump to fire the Special Counsel." pic.twitter.com/gmpxg40zDE

New: Facing interference from Whitaker, Mueller could turn to the courts. One route: Defy Whitaker directly & let a fed court decide whether Whitaker is Mueller’s legitimate boss. (Experts are skeptical that the courts would side with Trump on this one.) https://t.co/PV82eTZ3e9

Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein just called Matt Whitaker “a superb choice for attorney general,” saying Whitaker “certainly understands the work, understands the priorities of the department.” Then I asked him if he’s worried at all about the Mueller probe. He walked off.

Acting AG Whitaker's hostility to the Special Counsel’s investigation disqualifies him from overseeing Robert Mueller. We are leading 18 state attorneys general in calling on Whitaker to recuse himself immediately. #ProtectMuellerpic.twitter.com/G7vzxSEbcl